Centrifugal extracting and discharging mechanism



E. L. MILLER Nov. 23, 1937 CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTING AND DISCHARGING MECHANISM Filed April 21, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet l 4 ATTORN CENTRIEUGAL EXTRACTING AND DISCHARGING MECHANISM Filed April 21, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 6f [NV TOR' E. L. MILLER Nov, 23, 1937.

CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTING AND DISCHARGING MECHANISM Filed April '21, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 IATTORN I Nov. 23, 1937.

I I ATTOR Y Nov. 23, 1937. E. L. MILLER 2,099,863

CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTING AND DISCHARGING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 21, 1933 ATTOR Y E L. MILLER Nov. 23, 1937.

Filed April 21, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 I'll.

Nov .23, 1937. E. L. MILLER 2,099,863

GENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTING AND DISCHARGING MECHANISM Filed April 21, 1933 a Sheets-Sheet v ATT E. L. MILLER Nov. 23, 1937.

CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTING AND DISCHARGING MECHANISM /73 M7 m4, m2

L ms 57 we) 38 ATTORN Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES 'csm'arr'ucar. nx'raac'rmo AND mscnaaonzo mncnamsm Edward L. Miller, Green Island, N. Y., asslgnor,

asslgnmen by mesne ts, to American Machine and Metals, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application Aprilzl, 1933, Serial No. 667,157-

13Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in mechanisms for centriiugally extracting and automatically disposing of the residual solids; and more especially to such new i and useful mechanisms, wherein after extraction the solids are automatically dumped basket.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one em bodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a central, vertical section through an extractor mechanism embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a full top plan of the mechanism of Fig. 1 with the top closure closed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken subthe outer basket;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top plan, partly diagrammatic, of a series of extractors and a trolley conveyor for carrying the inner baskets to discharge;

Fig. 8 is an elevation of an extractor showing the cooperating safety devices for the inner and outer closures;-

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial vertical section of the modified form of locking means for the top closure for the inner basket; and

Fig. 10 is a top plan, partly broken away and partly in section, corresponding to Fig. 9.

One of the main objects of the invention is to extract from solution or suspension, and to discharge sticky solids, of which sewage sludge is an example, that cannot be handled commercially in a bottom discharge machine nor by the usual dumping basket mechanisms. A further object of the invention is to eflect extraction and from the a discharge of sticky solids, and like difllcult materials, rapidly and easily in the large quantities required by commercial conditions, such as exist for example in sewage disposal plants. Means are accordingly provided for effecting the extraction and discharge of such materialsin large quantities, under commercial conditions and requirements, for taking care of the resultant heavy strains and great upward thrusts developed, and for effecting quick and easy and practically automatic dumping oi the sticky materials from the basket; the preferred means also providing dumping and conveying devices serving a battery or plurality of the extractor unitsf With these objects in view, mechanisms are provided by my invention including a removable basket having an unobstructed upper lip or discharge edge to facilitate dumping of sticky materials, and having a top ring for taking the upward thrustduring extraction, the top ring being removable prior to, and replaceable after dumping, together with devices for securely maintaining the top ring against the relatively great upward thrust developed, the top ring preferably being also a complete closure for the removable basket.

Means are also provided by the invention for concurrently or sequentially lifting the basket from the structure and the top ring from the basket preparatory to dumping, for restoring the empty basket to the extractor and replacing the top ring on the basket by a continuous and automatic operation; the basket being mounted in connection with the lifting means so as to be automatically dumped by the unbalanced load,

the empty basket being automatically restored to upright position preparatory to its replacement in the extractor.

.The invention further provides safety devices which prevent closure of the curb lid until after the top closure forthe removable basket has been locked in position, said safety means cooperating with the usual safety means which prevent starting of the machine until after the curb lid is closed.

\ Further objects of the invention, and the novel open-top, link-suspension type is shown, having a casing or curb I, flexibly carried on three link suspensions 2, whereby the curb is freely suspended from pillars or supports 3, fixed to and extending upwardly from the base plate 4. The curb or casing l is provided with a hinged closure, 5. Within the curb I is rotatively mounted a basket Ill, which may be called for convenience the permanent basket, having a perforated peripheral wall I I and a bottom or floor l2 terminating centrally in a bearing hub i3. The hub 13 is rotatively supported on the beveled portion M of a shaft 15, which is journalled in a bearing I 6, located centrally of and bolted to the floor 22 of the casing. Fixed to the lower end of shaft i5 is a combined brake drum and pulley l'l, over which run driving belts l8, which likewise run over the driving pulley i9, driven by a motor 20, mounted in a support 2|. carried by the curb or casing l.-

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided (Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5) aninner, removable and replaceable basket 3i. having a downwardly decreasing conoidal perfo-' rate periphery 32, having an unobstructed top lip or edge tofacilitate pouring off the solid or other residuum when the basket is dumped. The

bottom 33 of basket 3| rests upon'and is supported by the bottom l2 of the permanent basket, and centrally basket'3l has an upwardly decreasing conoidalpart 31, encircling thebearing hub l3 of the permanent basket l0, and terminating in'a top edge 38, upon which the top closure presses to hold the basket 3| firmly againstthe bottom of basket "I. Basket 3| is automatically centered within and spaced away from basket ID by suitable means, such as the vertically disposed spacing pieces 34, fixed to, and projecting inwardly from, the inner wall of the permanent basket. ,Means are provided for holding the removable basket firmly in position within the permanent basket, said means being easily and quickly operated to release the inner basket for removal. As embodied a nut 42 is screw threaded on the top end of shaft l5 to press the top closure 45 against the top edge38 of the basket, thereby clamping thebottom of the inner basket against the floor of the outer basket.

In connection with the removable basket,-having no'top flange, there is provided (Figs. 1 to 5) a top riiig or cover, which is readily placed in position, is firmly locked for extracting, and 1S easily detachable to be lifted away preparatory to removing and dumping the basket. This device as embodied comprises a discoidal, complete top closure 45, adapted to rest upon the un-,

obstructed top lip of the inner basket 3!. C10- sure plate 45 is reinforced on the under side by annular angle irons 46 and 41. The plate 45 is'centrally apertured, and the aperture is closed by an upwardly-extending cylindrical housing, 48, having an outer horizontally-extending annular flange 49, fastened to the plate 45 byrivets. The housing 48 is centrally apertured and the threaded upper end of shaft I5 extends up- 'ward1y therethrough. The plate 45 about its central opening rests upon the upper edge 38 of the inner basket, and the hand nut 42 is screwed down in engagement with the top of the housing 48, and holds the closure 45 in position on the top of the inner wall of the basket, and also clamps the bottom of the inner basket 3| against the bottom of the permanent basket in.

7 of the top closure 45 to the peripheral wall of the Means are provided for locking the periphery the locking bars 51 into and out of-locking position comprise a disc 6!, centrally aperture-d tofit rotatively about the cylindrical housing 48, and to rest upon the annular flange 49 of the housing. A hand wheel 62 is fixed to the upper part of the disc 60. The cam disc 6| is held in position by the bolts 50 which work in arcuate slots 63 in the cam disc to permit necessary angular movement of the cam disc. At the inner end of each locking bolt 51 is apin 64, which projects into and works slidably in corresponding arcuate slot 65 'formed in the under side of the cam disc Bl.

Thus by partial rotation of the hand wheel 62, all of the, locking bars 5'! are slid into the corresponding openingsin the lugs 59 to lock closure 45, or are retracted therefrom to unlock the closure 45. To prevent movement of .the wing nut 42 during basket rotation, -and-to prevent unlocking of the top closure, there is provided (Fig. 2) an annular, centrally-apertured plate 68, pivoted at 69 upon the top of the cam plate 6|, the plate 68 having an arm or weight H projecting outwardly from the outside thereof, and having a tooth in projecting into its aperture.

Ratchet teeth 12 are formed on the hub of the nut 42, and when the extractor begins to rotate. the unbalanced weight ll swings plate 68 about pivot 69, and tooth in engages with one of the teeth I! and prevents circular motion of the .wing

nut with respect to the top closure.

Safety devices are provided 'for preventing closiing of the curb closure unles the closure for the inner basket is locked. In the embpdied form of said means, stop arms I9 are pivotally mounted at 80 upon the guides'fil, a pinion gearflibeing formed on the end of each arm I9, the pinion meshing with a straight rack 82 formed in the top of the corresponding locking bar 51. When bars 51 are in looking position, arms 1!! lie down and permit the curb lid 5 to be closed as shown in Fig. 3; but when the locking bars 51 are in retracted or unlocked position, arms 18 are in raised position, shown in Fig. 1, and prevent closureof the curb lid.

" In accordance with certain features of the invention, means are provided operating concurrently or sequentially to remove the top closure from the inner basket, to lift; the innerbasket, dump it,returnit to position and replace the top closure, preparatory to the next extracting operation. There is accordingly provided in connection with a removable basket, mechanism for removing and dumping the basket which automatically lifts the cover from the basket, carries it with the basket to the dumping station, and

restores it on the basket as the basket is replaced. As embodied, it comprises a counterbalanced cover lifting device, the basket acting as an anchorage to first elevate the cover, the weight of the basket holding the covenup after both are lifted bythe one device, and the removal of the weight of the basket by its replacement in the extractor permitting the cover to descend into position on the basket.

Said means as here embodied are adapted to cooperate with an overhead trolley conveyor device for carrying the baskets to and fro between the extractors and a dumping station. There is accordingly provided (Figs. 4, 5, and 6) a support 33, comprising two spacedapart channel beams 92, with cross spacing members, and having a central suspension 94. Journalled in bearings 95 and 30 at either end of support 93 are sheaves 91 and 30. Over the sheaves, respectively, run cables 39 and I00. The inner ends of these cables are anchored to rods IOI fixed at either end in the side walls of saddles I02 and I03, respectively. Pairs of chains I04 and l05 "are supported upon corresponding rods I06 and I01, fixed in the side walls of the upper part of the saddles, the chains at their lower ends being adapted to engage with co responding pairs of hooks I00 and I00,;fas-

toned in diametral positions, to the top of the closure 45. Flexibly fastened to the outer ends of the cables 99 and I00, respectively, are corresponding plates II! and H0, and projecting from these plates are corresponding headed p ns III and I I3. These are adapted to engage with and disengage from keyhole slots in supporting devices in diametral positions on the outer wall of th removable basket 3I.

Cooperating means are provided in conjunction with said means for lifting and lowering the basket and removing-and replacing the closure, comprising devices for maintaining the loaded basket upright, for releasing it to dump the unbalanced load, and causingthe empty basket to automatically right itself. As here embodied, the basket has fixed thereto two diametrally opposite trunnions rotatively mounted, respectively, in two vertical hangers, therebeing a locking device at either side to hold the loaded and unbalanced basket upright between the supports. The trunnions in said embodiment are placed between the center of gravity of the loaded basket and the center of gravity of the unloaded basket, so that on disengaging the locking means, the basket will turn over, dump and right itself, when the looking means will again engage it.

The embodied form of these supporting devices (Figs. 3, 4, and 5) comprise each a vertical hanger I23, rotatably mounted on a hub or trunnion I24 formed on a plate I25 riveted to the outer wall of the basket. In the upper end of each of the hangers I23 is :a keyhole slot I22, into which the headed pins II! and H0 are inserted to constitute a rocking suspension for the basket. In the embodied locking devicesfor holding the basket upright on the hangers, there is fixed. to the bottom part of each of the plates I25 a lug or detent I20, and a forked member I30 is pivotally mounted in a block I29, rivetedto the bottom part of the. corresponding hanger I23. The forked members I30 normally straddle the corresponding blocks I20 and prevent rotation, and after restoration of the basket, the forked member I30 maybe again moved into locking engagement with the lug I20 to lock the basket in upright position.

The forrnof transporting means for the basket may be widely varied so far as concerns the main features of the invention, and as embodied, a hoisting track trolley, which may be of any known or suitable form is conventionally shown. This trolley I42 is shown running on a track I43, and may have an electrical hoist of known or other suitable form. The trolley hoist is shown .with a chain I44 having a hook I45 which engages with the eye-bolt 04 of the basket and closure operating mechanism. Q

In operating the hereinbefore described mechanism, the curb lid 5 is opened, the nut 42 is unscrewed, and cam disc 0| is rotated to retract the locking bars 51. The trolley then hoists the member 33, and by reason of the greater weight .of the basket holding the. outer ends of the cables stationary, the top closure 45 is first raised from the basket-closing position of Fig. 4 to that of Fig. 5 without moving the basket. The top faces of the saddles I02 and I03 engage the bottom face of the carriage 93, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and stop further lifting of the closure 45. The hoist ing being continued, the inner basket 3I is lifted from the permanent basket II, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. With basket 3| and its closure 45 in the position shown in Fig. 5, the trolley I42 is run along the track, and carries the basket to the point of discharge a. The forked detents I30 are rocked on their pivots and free the lugs, I20, and due to the unbalanced load, the basket rotates on the hubs I24 and dumps the load. The empty basket then automatically rights itself, and the detents I30 lock the basket in upright position. The trolley is then run back and basket 3| is lowered into the permanent basket I I, and is centered by the members 34. The member 93 continues to descend, and basket 3i being at rest, the weight of the closure 45 and the accompanying movement of cables 99 and I00, and the closure is brought into closing position on the inner basket, the stops 200 and 20I on the cables 99 and I00 serve as limits to the travel of the cables and to line up the saddles I02 and I03 and the straps II5 when released from the closure 45. If the lowering of member 93 is stoppedafter basket 3i is restored, it can be loaded throu h the open top before the lid 45 is lowered to close the basket. After closure 45 is in position on the basket, the hand nut 42 and the locking bars 51 are operated to lock basket 3i in position as heretofore described.

' The invention provides as one of its features interlocking safety devices for the inner basket closure and the curb closure to prevent starting the machine unless both closures are,closed. In the embodied form this is effected bycorrelating a basket closure safety device, such as the arms I9 on the closure 45for the basket 3| preventing closing the curb lid 5 unless the bolts 51 on the inner closure 45 are in looking position with a safety device controlling the motor to prevent starting unless the curb lid 5 is closed. The action.

of the safety arms 19 in connection with the curb lid has already been described. Themotor controlling safety device cooperating with'the curb lid 5 is'shown in Fig. 8, and need not be described in-detail. It is indicated generally by reference numeral I5 I and in its operation prevents closure of the motor circuit unless the lid 5 is closed, andrunning, the member I52 permits the lever I50 tobe swung to remove interponent I53 out of the way of the arm I54 to permit the curb lid to be raisedx When the curb lid is in raised position, the locking bolts 51 of the basket 3| may be retracted, and the operation of lifting the inner closure and the inner removable basket and dump- 7 ing it may be proceeded with. After the bolts 51 9 and 10, wherein the locking of the closure at peripheral points and to the shaft are concurrently effected by a single actuating mechanism. As embodied, a nut I61 is screwed onto the top' end of shaft IS, the nut having an undercut portion I68 beneath the head I68. Slidably mounted in the cam disc 6| are a plurality of in- -wardlyextending, radially-disposed, locking bars I 69 which engage with the undercut portion 168 of nut I61. The inner ends of bars I59 are bevagainst the bottom I2 of the outer basket ll.

The retracting means for the locking bars "59 comprise pins I12 working in cam slots I13 formed in the cam disc 6|. Thus, when the hand wheel 62 is partially rotated the two sets of locking bolts 51 and I69 are concurrently locked or unlocked and simultaneously lock and release the lid. 45 at its periphery and its central opening, as well as clamping the inner basket 31 in position.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures maybe made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:-

1. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination an extractor having a removable basket and a top closure therefor, means including a flexible running member which at one end engages the basket and at the other end engages the closure for removing the closure from the basket and the basket from the extractor and sheaves mounted above* said basket and cover and over which the flexible members are passed for lifting the basket and cover by the flexible members.

2. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination an extractor, a removable basket and a top closure therefor, and means including a sheave and a cable running thereover, said cable being attached to the basket and to 'the closure, for removing the closure from the basket and the basket from the extractor.

3. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination an extra tpr, a removable basket and a top closure theref r, suspension means upon which the basket is movably mounted for dumping, and lifting means including a sheave and a cable having its ends attached to the suspension means and to the top closure tolift the top closure from the basket and the basket from the extractor preparatory to dumping and for replacing the basket in the extractor and the closure on the basket. I

4. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination an extractor. having a removable basket, atop closure therefor, a pair of suspension devices upon which the basket is, rotatably mounted, and a vertically movable support, a pair of sheaves mounted thereon, cables running over the sheaves, the ends of the cables being connected to the top closure and to the suspension devices.

5. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination an extractor having a removable basket, a top closure therefor, a pair of suspension devices upon which the basket is rotatably mounted, and a vertically movable support, a pair of sheaves mounted thereon, cables running over. the sheaves, the ends of the cables being connected to the top closure and to the suspension devices and means for limiting the running "of said cables.

6. An extractor and dischargingmechanism including in-combination a casing, a removable basket within the casing, a closure for the basket, a supporting member and means for raising and lowering it, and flexible running devices sup-' ported thereby and connected at either end to the basket and-closure for lifting the basket from the casing and the closure from the basket and sheaves mounted above said basket and cover and over which the flexible members are passed for lifting the basket and I cover by the flexible members. I

7. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination a casing, a removable basket within the casing, a closure for the basket, a supporting member and means for raising and lowering it, and flexible running devices supported. thereby and connected at either end to the basket and closure for lifting the basket from the casing and the closure from the basket and lowering the basket into the casing and the closure onto the basket when at rest within the casing and sheaves mounted above said basket and cover and over which the flexible members are passed for lifting the basket and the flexible members.

8. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination a casing, a removable basket, a basket cover, basket lifting and cover removing means including a flexible rimnin member connected at one end to the basket and at the other end to the cover, and a sheave over which said flexible member runs, means for lifting and lowering said sheave while the flexible member .is freely running to remove the cover and lift the basket during the lifting movement and lowering the basket and replacing the cover during the lowering movement.

9. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination a casing, a cover for the casing, a removable basket,'a basket cover, basket lifting and cover removing means including a flexible running member detachably connected at one end to the basket and detachab y connected at the other end to the cover, and a sheave over which said flexible member runs, means for lifting and lowering said sheave while the flexible member is freely running to remove the cover and lift the basket during the lifting including in combination acasing, a removable basket, a basket cover, a transverse support, a

plurality of sheaves mounted on said support.

flexible members running over said sheaves and connected at one end to the basket and at the other'end to the basket cover, and means for lifting and lowering said support to lift the cover from the basket and the basket from the casing and to lower the basket into the casing and re- I placing the cover on the basket.

cover by 11. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination a basket, a basket cover separate from the basket, means for raising the cover and lifting the basket and lowering the basket and replacing the cover comprising a sheave, a cable running over the sheave and connectable at one end to the basket and at one end to the cover and means for lifting and lowering the sheave, and means for locking the cover in position on the basket when they are disconnected from said raising means.

12. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination a basket, two supporting members pivoted to the basket at opposite sides and below its center of gravity, latch members between said supports and the basket to prevent inversion of the basket, a. cover for the basket, cables connected at one end to the cover and at the other end to said supports, sheaves over which said cables run, a support for said sheaves and means for raising and lowering said support. 4

13. An extractor and discharging mechanism including in combination a casing, a removable basket, a basket cover, cables connected at one end to the basket and at the other end to the cover, sheaves over which said cables run, a support for said sheaves, and a hoisting track trolley having a cable and means for connecting said cable to said support.

EDWARD L. IVIILLER. 

